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Friday, October 28, 2016

Long Lake, Grant County, Washington

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Long Lake (73.5 acres, Elevation 1000 ft)

Long Lake (Grant County) west shore is on the wildlife boundaries and the east shore is within state lands called the Sheep Lakes area, so all camping and recreational lake access is on the east shoreline. Swimming is not allowed on wildlife refuge lands but is ok in the State Sheep Lake lands. The Potholes Canal enters the northwest end of the lake and exists the southeast end, basically this is a wide section of the Potholes Canal. Fisherman with power boats travel up either end of the canal. Kayaking this lake is enjoyable and paddling up stream in the Potholes Canal is difficult due to the strong current but is do-able for the fit to go all the way to Pillar Lake a good 4 mile trip. Entering the canal on the southeast end of the lake takes you to Crescent Lake, but returning again can be difficult due to the strong currents so paddling all the way to Othello is your take-out point which is a long 15 mile trip. There are no take-out points once entering the canal until Othello. Also one can access Sage Lake to the north as there is only about 200 feet that separate the lakes (see Sage Lake info). See also the Potholes Canal Chain Lakes section for more access info about the canal and chain lakes. Fishing: Rainbow Trout, Black Crappie, Walleye, Large & Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch; Bluegill; Carp, Whitefish, and other Panfish. Directions: From Moses Lake take HWY 17 south toward Othello; turn right (west) on HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road. Approximately 2 miles up the road on your left (south) you will see the entrance to Sheep Lake Rd. Follow this road all the way to Long & Sage Lake sign. Turn right/northwest to access the Long Lake Boat Launch and primitive camping areas. Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in Long Lake, Grant County, WA.

Boat Launch

The only boat launch on the lake is this gravel, rock, mud launch on the southeast end of the lake. All along the shore one can hand launch their watercraft, most the time over a rock bank.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, sand, dirt combo parking all along the east and southeast shore line; PATHS/TRAILS... Lots of dirt, sand, and gravel trails, none of which are designated as wheelchair accessible; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Two fully accessible restrooms at the Southeast end of the lake. No designated picnic areas or shaded area. No trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One wide gravel, sand. mud combo launch. No docks or plateforms; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices. Access water via wide launch when no powerboats are present, assistance likely needed. Mud is deep in the water; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Primitive camping along east and southeast shore; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Lots of sand and deep mud during wet times of the year along shoreline; Terrain: Level to about 7% grades; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water not available; Environmental Conditions: High winds and hot summer temperatures; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in towns of Moses Lake and Othello (Wal-Mart), and at Potholes Reservoir resort area.